Wladimir Klitschko must face Tyson Fury next

Wladimir Klitschko is set to take on WBO mandatory Tyson Fury in his next fight, sparking interest in the heavyweight mix as the boxing world may finally get their long awaited answer of whether the undefeated British and European champion is the real deal.

After defeating game American Bryant Jennings by unanimous decision in Madison Square Garden last month, Dr Steelhammer announced that his next opponent would have to be a mandatory and looks likely to be the Wilmslow resident.

There was some added interest over the last few months with the WBO Super, IBF and WBO heavyweight champion returning back to America to fight for the first time since 2008 and despite TV contract rumours suggesting the Ukrainian may have three fights in the US, Wladimir has already accepted that a fight with Fury would have to be in Europe.

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The heavyweight division has had a resurgence recently, after Vitali Klitschko vacated his crown and retired to focus on a career in politics there have been two WBC champions with Deontay Wilder defeating Bermane Stiverne (who won the vacant belt against Chris Arreola last year) in January to pick up the green and gold belt.

The bronze bomber has an impressive 33-0 record with 32 knockouts but like Tyson Fury the boxing world still has its question marks over the American. The ruler of the pack Wladimir Klitschko scored his 18th title defence over Jennings and is closing in on Joe Louis's record of 25.

The fresh faced heavyweights have also seen some comeback fighters on the trail looking to get a piece of the gold calling out the 1996 Olympian. Shannon Briggs has returned back to the scene looking in fantastic shape, self promoting himself 'the cannon' has also had several videos go viral on-line where he has confronted the Champion in a restaurant, in the gym, at press conferences at out at sea.

The vocal fighter has racked up seven wins in a row and the former world champion has the added incentive to fight Wladimir as his last fight before his return last year was a points loss to brother Vitali in 2010.

Antonio 'magic man' Tarver is also making noise about wanting a fight with Dr Steelhammer and David Haye is reportedly making a return in the summer although its thought he will go down the WBC route having already fought and lost to Klitschko.

As for Tyson Fury, there is an added threat with the world ranked number three at a taller height than the champion that he could be able to use this as an advantage. The British fighter has had his performances questioned by the boxing fraternity.

A well known trash talker 'too fast' is often entertaining in the build up to his fights but can also border on disrespectful with the British Boxing Board of Control fining Fury last year for verbal expletives aimed at former opponent Dereck Chisora and journalists.

The former commonwealth champion was dropped by Steve Cunningham (who's often regarded as a cruiserweight) on his US debut before getting up to get an eventual stoppage victory in the seventh round.

Most recently though Fury has looked a polished and established professional, defeating Dereck Chisora at the end of 2014 and entertaining last time out switching stances in a dominant eighth round retirement win over Christian Hammer.

There should be some sparks in the build up to this fight (if it is to get made) and under trainer and uncle Peter Fury there's a strong family bond (with other relatives including cousin Hughie Fury also professionals) and despite his critics an unbeaten fighter is always a threat.

A young lion against a heavyweight king there will be many who see this fight as a mismatch and with Wladimir formerly trained and transformed by boxing great Emanuel Steward, the champions style has never come under threat.

A massive puncher who speaks with class and holds a PhD in sports science, the Ukrainian is the ultimate role model, his three losses have all come through knockout, but with his last defeat 11 years ago and a magnificent defence that has seen the champion reign supreme since 2006.

Fury will face an almost impossible task to see if he will be able to dethrone the champion but in a division where there was the upset of the century in Mike Tyson v Buster Douglas, you can never overlook any challenger, especially one with the size of Fury's heart.

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